Twins lose Buxton to injured list but Matthews delivers dominant start
Byron Buxton was placed on the 10-day injured list due to a sore right hip, further straining Minnesota's playoff hopes. Zebby Matthews responded with a strong outing, allowing one run over 8 1/3 innings with five strikeouts and no walks in a 5-1 win over the White Sox. The Twins remain in the AL wild-card race but face an uphill climb without Buxton and with Joe Ryan still rehabbing.
Matthews has been a stabilizing force for Minnesota, going 6-1 across his last seven starts with a 3.21 ERA, 35 strikeouts, and just 11 walks. His Sunday performance kept the Twins from being swept and marked the club's fifth win in his starts this month. The rotation depth matters because Joe Ryan remains sidelined, though he is slated to pitch for Triple-A St. Paul on Tuesday.
The Twins have operated shorthanded all season, losing Pablo López early and carrying one of baseball's lowest payrolls. Their bullpen was essentially rebuilt midseason after July 2025 trades. Rookies Kaelen Culpepper and Walker Jenkins, who debuted Friday, now carry added responsibility, while Luke Keaschall and Brooks Lee have shown growth. Josh Bell contributed two two-out RBI singles Sunday.
This story could resonate with Twins fans and the broader baseball audience as a case study in playoff resilience under roster strain. The loss of Buxton may dampen Minnesota's wild-card hopes, potentially affecting local fan engagement and late-season attendance. However, Matthews' emergence offers a counter-narrative, suggesting young pitching can sustain a contender. The outcome could influence how other small-market clubs approach midseason development, though its societal reach remains largely confined to sports enthusiasts.